A CITY university aims to make sure one of west Scotland's greenest spots stays just that.

Glasgow Caledonian University's new project, Kit-Out the Park, aims to make tourism firms with an interest in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area more environmentally friendly.

The scheme was launched last year to see if the tourist sector in Scotland could benefit from and improve its performance by using specialist knowledge and expertise from the university.

But it's shifting its focus for its latest event later this month when it's hosting workshops for small and medium-sized firms in the industry to help them get up to speed with new environmental legislation to see if they can turn to things such as renewable energies.

Rather than look only at hoteliers or B&B owners, the project aims to talk to other firms including suppliers, traders and attraction operators.

Audrey Meikle, Kit-Out's project officer, said: "This event is a great opportunity for companies to get expert advice on sustainable working practices which will ultimately help improve their businesses.

"The sessions will cover the legislative environment businesses now operate in and will offer energy and cost-saving advice through the adoption of new green technologies."

Kit-Out the Park, which stands for Knowledge, Innovation and Technology Out of University into Tourism, is a three-year project funded by the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund.

The aim is to improve businesses over five key areas; the environment, IT and communications, business process improvement, food technology and sustainable buildings and construction methods.

The idea is for the university's specialists to work as consultants to firms while the Government and the ERDF offer grants to implement the programmes with the hope businesses will see savings and improve their products and profits, while improving the area around them.

The latest event, which takes place at Gartmore House, near Aberfoyle, on March 12, will look at renewable energy, waste and water and information on planning.

The effect of tourism on the local environment is set to fall into sharper focus with the news last week of a proposal for a new canal.

The waterway, that would run next to the River Leven, would allow boats to sail between Loch Lomond and the Firth of Clyde.